Ever since winning the WWE United States Championship in October, Ilja Dragunov has adopted the US Title Open Challenge every week on Friday Night SmackDown.
Facing any challenger who steps up, Dragunov has quickly established himself as a fighting champion who will not back down to anyone.
With four successful title defenses under his belt, it should be very intriguing to find out who will be next to answer the challenge laid down by the former NXT Champion.
Here are eight WWE stars to potentially answer Ilja Dragunov’s US Title Open Challenge on SmackDown.
8. Tommaso Ciampa
Over the past few weeks, fans have seen Tommaso Ciampa develop a rivalry with Ilja Dragunov surrounding his open challenge.
Unlike previous champions with open challenges, ‘The Mad Dragon’ has had a different approach and has stated that he does not want to reward “jackasses” who step up for a title match.
With Ciampa becoming more and more irate, it has led to him being denied and attacking those who do take on the challenge.
After avoiding him for several weeks, it feels like the right time to have Ciampa answer the open challenge and go one-on-one with Dragunov for the United States Championship.
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7. Je’Von Evans
The United States Championship Open Challenge was originally brought back during the reign of SamI Zayn earlier this year.
Completing seven straight title defenses, Zayn was able to face a litany of talent from Raw, SmackDown and NXT, which included Je’Von Evans.
‘The Young OG’ got to showcase what makes him so special during this highly competitive contest and displayed why he will be a major star for the company.
Despite that loss and his recent failure against GUNTHER in the Last Time Is Now Tournament, it is obvious WWE sees big things in him and would be wise to have him answer the open challenge again now that Dragunov holds the title.
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6. Carmelo Hayes
Another WWE star who previously answered the Sami Zayn United States Championship Open Challenge was Carmelo Hayes.
Looking to get more than one opportunity, Hayes was someone who came out to face Zayn more than once before getting distracted with his feud with The Miz.
The former NXT Champion is one of the most talented in-ring competitors on the main roster today and can deliver an instant classic with just about anyone.
Hayes getting a huge break by getting another shot at the US Title now that Ilja Dragunov is champion would set up a tantalizing rematch from their NXT days on the main roster.
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5. Montez Ford
After winning the United States Championship, Ilja Dragunov made it perfectly clear that anyone could step up for the open challenge, including the tag team division.
In recent weeks, Dragunov has scored wins over the likes of Nathan Frazer, Axiom and Johnny Gargano in successful title defenses.
Looking to follow their leads, Montez Ford of The Street Profits feels like someone who should answer the open challenge.
After the Profits’ recent failures to recapture the WWE Tag Team Championship, it could be time for Ford to challenge for a bigger prize by answering Dragunov’s open challenge soon.
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4. Damian Priest
In his first title defense, Ilja Dragunov’s United States Championship Open Challenge was answered by Aleister Black.
However, Dragunov was able to get by Black thanks in large part to his ongoing rivalry with Damian Priest.
With Dragunov making his way through several stars on the SmackDown roster, fans could see Priest turn his attention.
Having stated earlier this year, Priest has a desire to win back the US Title and could lead to a highly competitive bout with Dragunov down the line.
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3. Ethan Page
One WWE NXT star who has been pegged for WWE main roster success is Ethan Page.
Signing with the company in 2024, Page took a ton of momentum from his time in All Elite Wrestling and used it to his advantage to immediately become a top star on WWE NXT.
‘All Ego’ is currently holding the NXT North American Championship and is one half of the AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions with SmackDown’s Chelsea Green.
Having already appeared on Friday nights a few times, it would not seem strange to see Page answer Ilja Dragunov’s United States Championship Open Challenge and be considered a favorite to dethrone ‘The Mad Dragon.’
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2. Trick Williams
Going from Carmelo Hayes’ sidekick to a two-time NXT Champion, Trick Williams has one of the most fascinating and satisfying character evolutions in the history of the brand.
Coming off the heels of his TNA World Title run, Williams should have more than proven himself ready for the main roster spotlight.
The former TNA World Champion feels like he does not have anything left to accomplish or pursue on NXT and should be making his way to Raw or SmackDown.
Trick Williams answering the United States Championship Open Challenge would be a wonderful way for WWE to play off his history with Ilja Dragunov from their time in NXT in a significant manner.
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1. Oba Femi
On the November 11 episode of WWE NXT, Oba Femi made his return to the company by confronting the man who dethroned him for the NXT Championship, Ricky Saints.
Setting up the main event for the upcoming NXT Deadline PLE, Femi will now get his rematch for the title against Saint on the December 6 show.
While he could likely win back his title, Femi feels tailor made for the main roster stage and could make his way there before the end of 2025.
Femi answering Ilja Dragunov’s United States Championship Open Challenge would immediately make him a favorite to become a titleholder on his first night arriving on the WWE main roster.
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